US6955642B1ExpiredUtility

Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation method and apparatus with improved dosing

81
Assignee: EBI LPPriority: Nov 26, 2002Filed: Nov 26, 2002Granted: Oct 18, 2005
Est. expiryNov 26, 2022(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Bruce J. Simon
A61N 2/02A61N 1/40
81
PatentIndex Score
95
Cited by
30
References
22
Claims

Abstract

A noninvasive method and apparatus for treating living tissue with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) having selectively reduced high-frequency signal components, with improved bioresponse provided by magnetic field amplitudes less than approximately 40 μT, and most preferably in the range of 4–10 μT. Such amplitude levels for the disclosed PEMF signal are particularly effective with a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1. A noninvasive apparatus for treating living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
 means for generating a drive signal including a series of pulses having high-frequency components associated with abrupt changes in value; and 
 means responsive to said drive signal for generating a pulsed electromagnetic field with a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT effective to produce a therapeutic bioresponse when coupled to an afflicted body part to be treated, said pulsed electromagnetic field generating means including signal shaping means for selectively reducing signal components of said drive signal at frequencies above 50 kHz. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT. 
     
     
       4. A noninvasive apparatus for treating living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
 a treatment coil; 
 means for noninvasively mounting said treatment coil in proximity to an afflicted body part to be treated; and 
 electronic generator means coupled to said treatment coil for generating a pulse train in said treatment coil effective to produce a pulsed electromagnetic field having a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT, said pulse train including pulses each having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a relatively flat peak therebetween, said pulses having a smooth transition on at least one of said edges immediately adjacent said relatively flat peak. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT. 
     
     
       7. A method of treating osteoarthritis, comprising:
 positioning a treatment coil in proximity to an arthritic joint; and 
 applying a pulsed electromagnetic field to said arthritic joint via said treatment coil, said pulsed electromagnetic field characterized by asymmetrical magnetic field pulses having a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said arthritic joint for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–8 hours/day. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said arthritic joint for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said arthritic joint for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day. 
     
     
       13. A noninvasive method of treating damaged living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
 generating a drive signal including a series of pulses having high-frequency components associated with abrupt changes in value; and 
 generating, in response to said drive signal, a pulsed electromagnetic field with a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT effective to produce a therapeutic bioresponse when coupled to an afflicted body part having damaged tissue to be treated; 
 wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is generated with signal shaping means for selectively reducing signal components of said drive signal at frequencies above 50 kHz, and 
 wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–8 hours/day. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT. 
     
     
       18. A noninvasive method of treating damaged living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
 noninvasively mounting a treatment coil in proximity to an afflicted body part having damaged tissue to be treated; and 
 generating a pulse train in said treatment coil effective to produce a pulsed electromagnetic field having a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT, said pulse train including pulses each having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a relatively flat peak therebetween, said pulses having a smooth transition on at least one of said edges immediately adjacent said relatively flat peak; 
 wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–8 hours/day. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 18 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.

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